flashback

1 of 2

noun

flash·​back ˈflash-ˌbak How to pronounce flashback (audio)
1
: a recession of flame to an unwanted position (as into a blowpipe)
2
a
: interruption of chronological sequence (as in a film or literary work) by interjection of events of earlier occurrence
also : an instance of flashback
b
: a past incident recurring vividly in the mind

flash back

2 of 2

verb

flashed back; flashing back; flashes back

intransitive verb

1
: to focus one's mind on or vividly remember a past time or incident
usually used with to
flashed back to my childhood
2
: to employ a flashback (as in a film)
usually used with to

Examples of flashback in a Sentence

Noun The character's childhood was described in a series of flashbacks. He's having flashbacks of his days in the war. Verb the scent made me flash back to the days of my mother's home-cooked Sunday dinners
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Though the nonlinear story is busy with flashbacks and stuffed with themes, characters and real-world analogues (some of which are not fully fleshed out), the worldview that emerges is distinctly Bong: absurdist and yet cautiously hopeful about the future. Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2025 Watching a teenage version of Pistorius (portrayed by Jett Harris in the flashbacks) sitting slumped over like a vegetable as life goes on around him is far from pleasant, nor does Ascher want to make it so. Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
As with previous outings, death is foreshadowed before flashing back one week earlier to the guests’ arrival at the elite five-star White Lotus resort. Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2025 Like the two previous seasons, this year's story begins with a mysterious death and then flashes back a week. Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for flashback

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1903, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1944, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of flashback was in 1903

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Flashback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flashback. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

flashback

noun
flash·​back ˈflash-ˌbak How to pronounce flashback (audio)
1
: the introduction of a past event into a story or motion picture
also : this past event
2
: a past incident recurring clearly in the mind

More from Merriam-Webster on flashback

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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